Imagine your child flipping through a fresh pack of Premier League trading cards and pulling out a shiny image of Thomas Partey — a player facing five rape charges and one count of sexual assault.
That’s not fiction. It’s exactly what’s happening as Topps gears up to release its latest set of official football collectibles for the 2025–26 season.
The decision has left many people speechless.
And the explanation, or lack thereof, has only made things worse.
A Story That’s Been Circulating for Years
If you’ve worked in football in any capacity over the past few years, chances are you already knew about the Thomas Partey investigation — even if his name wasn’t made public until recently.
It’s been what many call an “open secret” in the industry.
Partey was first arrested back in July 2022 on multiple allegations made by three different women.
The UK’s legal system ensured his identity stayed protected, but whispers spread fast.
And although he strongly denies all charges, there’s now a prosecution case moving forward — making it very real and very public.
From Arsenal’s Exit to Trading Card Spotlight
Partey’s contract with Arsenal came to an end in June, just days before the Metropolitan Police officially charged him.
Now, he’s set to appear in Westminster Magistrates’ Court on August 5.
And yet, here we are — with his face appearing on an official Topps trading card for the upcoming season.
That’s right, the same player facing multiple serious charges is being featured as a collectible item for kids and fans.
The Card Company’s Explanation Doesn’t Really Help
You can already guess what Topps will say — their team is likely scrambling behind the scenes, pointing to the timeline.
The checklist for the new card series, they’ll insist, was finalised in May when Arsenal were still deciding whether to keep Partey on a new deal.
The design, the print runs, the whole production — it all wrapped up before the charges landed.
But even if that’s true, it’s hard to ignore the optics.
The fact remains: a man under this level of investigation should not be plastered onto merchandise aimed at young audiences.
A Harsh Reality That Football Keeps Ignoring
In just about any other profession, someone under investigation for multiple sexual assaults would likely be suspended — at the very least.
Paid or unpaid, that person would probably be kept away from their workplace, especially if it involved public interaction.
But football is different. And that’s part of the problem.
After his arrest, Partey was released on bail and flew out with Arsenal for a pre-season match against Everton just 12 days later.
During that season, he featured in 40 games and logged over 2,600 minutes of play — including scoring the opening goal in a major derby against Tottenham.
Arsenal’s Quiet Endorsement and Arteta’s Response
It’s not just that Partey played — it’s how comfortably he was reintegrated.
Arsenal even gave the green light for his image to be included in this season’s card packs.
Manager Mikel Arteta recently defended the club’s conduct, saying he was “100 per cent” confident Arsenal followed the right steps.
But when pressed further, he brushed it off: “There are a lot of legal matters that are very complicated so I cannot comment on any of that.”
That’s become football’s default answer to uncomfortable questions.
The Sport’s Parallel Universe Persists
Football often seems to exist in its own bubble, far removed from the values and rules that shape most industries.
While the rest of the world might act decisively when serious allegations arise, football tends to look the other way — especially when the player in question still has value on the pitch.
That bubble is part of why a player like Partey, still facing prosecution, could be celebrated through something as mainstream as a collectible card.
The Bigger Question for Parents and Fans
This isn’t about guilt or innocence — that’s for the courts to decide. But in the meantime, brands and clubs do have choices. They can choose caution. They can choose to avoid promoting someone until the legal dust settles.
Because right now, the thought of kids pulling out a Thomas Partey card and trading it with friends at school just feels wrong.
What’s Next?
Partey’s court date is set for August 5, and more details will undoubtedly emerge.
But one thing is already clear: the gap between how football handles serious allegations and how the rest of society does is still as wide as ever.
Whether clubs, companies, or the Premier League itself will start to rethink their approach remains to be seen.
But until then, football continues spinning in its own orbit — tone-deaf and out of step.
